Black Horse Farm CAMC Site (Densole, Kent, near tunnel)

[DDJC]

I used this site last year in August for a one nighter before an early tunnel crossing. Cost was £38.20. Bit steep, but we needed it.
Was looking to book it for another single night in May 2023, but they are quoting £51.50.

Is this 35% price increase the norm across all CAMC sites?

Looks like they are about to lose another member.

 

[RYHALLRED]

I used this site last year in August for a one nighter before an early tunnel crossing. Cost was £38.20. Bit steep, but we needed it.
Was looking to book it for another single night in May 2023, but they are quoting £51.50.

Is this 35% price increase the norm across all CAMC sites?

Looks like they are about to lose another member.

I've seen a few people not happy with the price increases, its not good. I also don't understand why they have to have hi/low season charges as its a club not a commercial company. The booklet & online web site initially look quite reasonable prices, but they have again used commercial practices & broken everything down. When you start adding up the true cost its just silly. This will be my first & last year with them.

 

[Mikeco]

We stayed there 2 nights ago and it cost £33, I know that some people will stay at one if the local pubs but it would cost more than that if you had to pay for a meal.

 

[RYHALLRED]

We stayed there 2 nights ago and it cost £33, I know that some people will stay at one if the local pubs but it would cost more than that if you had to pay for a meal.

But then you have had a meal & a camp site. I guess it all depends on the meal cost, and if you want a treat.

 

[Chris]

Avoid the pub opposite - trust me.

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[denisejoe]

Why not just use Canterbury Park and Ride? It's close enough to the tunnel and can get out at any time. Also only £8 for an overnight stay.

 

[rb62]

I've seen a few people not happy with the price increases, its not good. I also don't understand why they have to have hi/low season charges as its a club not a commercial company. The booklet & online web site initially look quite reasonable prices, but they have again used commercial practices & broken everything down. When you start adding up the true cost its just silly. This will be my first & last year with them.

Limited company since 2000,and operates as such,as you've noticed

 

[Langtoftlad]

I think the across the board price increases are true, unfortunately.
I've recently booked the Castleton CAMC site, in January, for £23/nt - in April 2019 it was just £11.70 !

After not being a member of the C&CC for about 3 years [I didn't like the deposit system, nor their website in comparison to the CAMC ], I've recently rejoined to book the Moffat site, also in January... at a very reasonable £12.95 per night.
It'll be interesting to compare, see if there's any difference for a tenner a night.

This time around, the C&CC website seemed easier to use, both 'clubs' take deposits and CAMC membership is £14 more.

 

[Figaro]

April 2019 it was just £11.70 !

Are you sure ?
I'm sure it was more like 30+ per night when I went march 2017/8 and not Easter either.

 

[DDJC]

There are four of us in the bus, but there were four last August too. And surely August is higher season than May?

I think I will be cancelling CAMC. Might still retain C&CC, but only until I see what sort of price increases they are whacking us with.

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[SpeedyDux]

I might be wrong, but I think I read in the Club magazine that they abolished the ferry pitches at Black Horse Farm.

 

[DDJC]

I might be wrong, but I think I read in the Club magazine that they abolished the ferry pitches at Black Horse Farm.

You could be right. I wouldn't be surprised.

Except they are still advertising them on their booking page! That is what they wanted fifty quid from me for. Fifty quid for a bleeding ferry pitch!!

 

[Janine]

I just had a look at a previous booking compared with the price for next year and found that it is £2.20 a night more. Not enough to change my world.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Are you sure ?
I'm sure it was more like 30+ per night when I went march 2017/8 and not Easter either.

Pretty sure - without a lot of digging through paperwork, I can't guarantee it.

On my calendar I've recorded
4nts £41 Left a day early because of weather - this was for March 2019
and for April same year
Booking Reference ###### 4 nts - £46.80

Remember, there's only 1 of me + dog
Is the difference accounted for by having more occupants.
Individual pricing is why [up to now] Clubsites have mostly been cheaper & better value for me than commercial sites or even CL's

 

[Figaro]

Yeah, you may well be correct.
I just default to thinking all cmc sites are 30+ per night.
The price I paid would been for two plus a dog.

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[CazPaul]

You could be right. I wouldn't be surprised.

Except they are still advertising them on their booking page! That is what they wanted fifty quid from me for. Fifty quid for a bleeding ferry pitch!!

What’s a ferry pitch?

 

[Ditcha]

We booked a ferry pitch 3 week's ago for one night before our crossing £21.60

 

[DDJC]

What’s a ferry pitch?

A hard standing (usually) pitch located close to, or even outside the main gates of a site that is near to a port or other terminal. You can depart from them before the first sparrow coughs, to get an early ferry or tunnel crossing. Most have EHU and accept late arrivals too.

 

[RYHALLRED]

Limited company since 2000,and operates as such,as you've noticed

View attachment 700879

The Company and the Club
The Company and the Club operate on the following lines. The Company obeys its Articles of Association, which register it as a Company limited by guarantee. The Articles, in turn, give the Company its authority to produce Bye-Laws governing the
operation of its ‘undertaking’, which is the Members’ Club. In a legal sense, there is no distinction between the Company and the Club, but the history and the use of Bye-Laws has made it convenient to talk in terms of two ‘separate’ entities. Because
it is a Members’ Club, it is run by its members for its members. Accordingly, the members elect their representatives to form the Executive Committee, which is the same as the Board of Directors of a limited company in terms of company law.

Summary
The Caravan Club is a registered limited company, trading as the Caravan and Motorhome Club, that runs a Members’ Club. The members elect, from among themselves, an Executive Committee to run the Club. Additional members are appointed to other Committees, which serve the Executive Committee. A consultative structure of members forming the Club Council, comprising Nominated Members and Divisional and Regional Representatives, provides the means whereby the Executive can, formally, take advice from the membership. The Executive Committee employs and directs staff to operate and manage approved policies and services to meet the needs of the membership.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/globalassets/pdfs/content/about-us/The-Club-and-how-it-works.pdf

 

[scousebird]

Avoid the pub opposite - trust me.

It's changed hands and been updated since your bad experience, we had a lovely meal there - this was pre-covid though.

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[Mikeco]

I might be wrong, but I think I read in the Club magazine that they abolished the ferry pitches at Black Horse Farm.

The top block nearest the entrance is closed but we booked a ferry pitch and had one nearest to the exit as they could put us, we left at 5 am .

 

[SpeedyDux]

What’s a ferry pitch?

The intention is that you book a designated ferry pitch close to the Site entrance, so when you leave to catch an early ferry departure or Chunnel crossing you won't disturb the sleep of other Site occupants. I have used these ferry pitches several times because it is so handy for the Chunnel. They also seem to be OK for late arrival e.g. if you got caught in a jam on the M25.

 

[Googlebot]

Just went to book Thirsk for a night. £49 for the 4 of us, the CCC in Bala wanted the same for a grass pitch with no electric last summer. :-(

I am seriously considering not renewing as it seems like a waste given there is no way I am paying £50 to park for a night.

Only problem is we would lose access to the CL network which was a lot cheaper. Even then though we have noticed the prices going bananas. A couple of years back, a site that was £18 is now £28.

Avoid the pub opposite - trust me.

Used it this year, was very welcoming and dog friendly and the food was great.

 

[hja]

I used this site last year in August for a one nighter before an early tunnel crossing. Cost was £38.20. Bit steep, but we needed it.
Was looking to book it for another single night in May 2023, but they are quoting £51.50.

Is this 35% price increase the norm across all CAMC sites?

Looks like they are about to lose another member.

CAMC dont operate high & low seasons like everyone else. Weekends more expensive than weekdays, school holidays more expensive (whether February or August) Also time around bank holidays = hike in fees. And May next year has 3 bank holidays!

 

[cyberyacht]

Squeeze them till the pips squeak is CAMC policy. I only remain a member for the CL network although, and has been observed, some of those are getting a bit silly with prices too. Better off getting a lateish ferry and finding an aire on the other side than paying CAMC "Dick Turpin" prices.

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[DDJC]

Has anyone got a link on how to get out of the C&MC? Seems that it is easier to get a ticket to the moon than escape their clutches. Tempted to simply cancel the DD and ignore all future coms.

I found the CCC's cancellation link : https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/policies/membership/cancellations/

 

[The Artilleryman]

If you think CAMC is bad, just read this in CCC's magazine (in the recycling bin 5 mins. after it arrives).

"Not all conversions will be accepted on Club Sites. If members are undertaking a unit conversion or have recently purchased one, the Club requests photo's of the unit's exterior and interior to be sent to our customer service for review."

WTF, in this case it was an ex army series LandRover ambulance, which is no large than my Bailey MH.

 

[Wingingit#1]

We stayed at black horse farm on the 30th nov for 3 nights prior to catching the train .
Paid £66 ....and yes the block nearest the reception is/was closed at that time .

 

[VXman]

Squeeze them till the pips squeak is CAMC policy. I only remain a member for the CL network although, and has been observed, some of those are getting a bit silly with prices too. Better off getting a lateish ferry and finding an aire on the other side than paying CAMC "Dick Turpin" prices.

Is it not possible to use CL or CS sites if you aren't a member? Can you not just book direct with the campsite.? Of course it may not be as easy to find them however a quick google map of an area and type camp sites generally brings up most sites in the area. I think people need to start to use more independent sites to encourage them and give CCC and CAMC something to think about.

 

[Reallyretired]

If you think CAMC is bad, just read this in CCC's magazine (in the recycling bin 5 mins. after it arrives).

"Not all conversions will be accepted on Club Sites. If members are undertaking a unit conversion or have recently purchased one, the Club requests photo's of the unit's exterior and interior to be sent to our customer service for review."

WTF, in this case it was an ex army series LandRover ambulance, which is no large than my Bailey MH.

I would ignore their request. CCC are quite happy to accept tent campers arriving in works vans so can hardly quibble at any sort of conversion.